A great tool in my clinic for deciphering what is occurring in the shoulder region is a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. Ultrasound works by using sound waves to produce images of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Ultrasound can show sprains, strains and tears in the soft tissue.

Regenerate with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma). Some injuries only heal so far on their own. This is where PRP comes into play. Injecting your own blood right at the site of injury creates a whole cascade of healing. Platelets are rich in growth factors and localizing the platelets to damaged tissue accelerates their repair. PRP should be considered in injuries that have not healed on their own or in degenerative osteoarthritis.

One of the tenants of Naturopathic medicine is to appreciate the innate healing power of nature. My hope is always that there is a healthy cycle of Play. Injury. Repair. Repeat. As will it be with our forests, wild fires will die down and snow will begin to fall. Not too long now will we be breathing fresh crisp winter air along the runs of Apex.

What a phenomenal January! Bumps. Powder turns. Endless runs. Grins from ear to ear. But if you ask your knees, they may have a different story. Your knees take the brunt of it and often are what gets you to call it a day.

How can you preserve the cushioning in your knee joints while still tackling those mogul runs? Let’s look at what your knees are meant to be made of and what is lost when we talk of being bone on bone…Collagen.